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Blood Opal
Those who harm it - die, goes the legend of the rare and beautiful Blood Opal. But Pug Germaine believes her husband's brutal murder has more to do with the slaughtered woman in his arms than the curse of any stone. When, one of the robbers double-crosses the others, they all lose their prize. The villains suspect Pug knows the opal's whereabouts. Pug leaves death and bankruptcy behind, takes her dog, and sails away in her only remaining possession, her boat. But she sails straight into trouble as she becomes aware of more than one stalker watching her every move. With the body count growing, can DI Ed Buchanan and Sergeant Kathryn Sinclair nail the real villains before Pug becomes the Blood Opal's next victim?
- GenresThriller
222 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2010
5 people want to read
About the author
Carole Sutton
4 books48 followersAlthough Carole has short stories and wildlife articles to her name, her real passion is writing crime fiction. Brought up in the UK, she married Bill and raised a family in Cornwall, where they built their own boats and enjoyed years of sailing the English Channel and the French coast during weekends and holidays. They moved to Australia in 1981 and set up a family retail business. Now, since she has retired, Carole combines the two interests and sets her crime locations around boats and rivers.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 5, 2010
I have been a huge fan of Carole Sutton since becoming hooked on her first novel, “Ferryman.” She writes with the same concise and fast-paced style of one of my other favorite mystery writers, P. D. James.
Carole Sutton’s newest novel, “Blood Opal,” is another “keep you up late at night,” fast-paced, thriller. As with her other mystery novels, Carole does a skillful job of fully developing her plot while still paying close attention to character development. She allows the reader to crawl inside the heads, and often the hearts, of her main characters, as they stumble and glide through the storyline, to ultimately solve the mysteries behind the murders. And due to her non-human main character, the Blood Opal, there are numerous bodies strew throughout the story.
Although this is a thrill ride of a whodunit adventure, the main puzzle piece that connects the mysteries and murders is the elusive Blood Opal. Throughout history, opals have been associated with mystical powers; from healing to destruction. Carole skillfully manipulates the historical legends of opals, recreating her own folklore revolving around the deadliest of all opals: the cursed Blood Opal.
According to the novel’s opal history; this black opal, with its streaks of brilliant deep red, was first named Redback, as its color resembled the deadly spider of the same name. However, over the years, as the opal proved to be as deadly as the spider it was originally named after, it was rechristened the Blood Opal. Even though, or perhaps because of, the opal’s curse, and the fact that reds against black are the most rare of opals, the Blood Opal became a coveted stone. The legend is woven so realistically throughout the story, that as soon as you finish the novel, you’ll want to jump on your computer and “Google” Blood Opal. Be forewarned, that doing so, will only solidify Carole’s gift of storytelling.
Once again, in this new novel, Carole shares her extensive knowledge of sailing and her love of Britain’s Cornwall coast. Reading a Carole Sutton novel is not only an escape into her world of murder, mystery and mayhem, but also a travel and sailing adventure. I especially enjoyed how Carole brilliantly integrated familiar bits and pieces from her first novel, “Ferryman,” into her “Blood Opal” storyline.
“Blood Opal,” is one gem of a novel that you must put on your “to read” list.
Dee Marie (Author of the "Sons of Avalon" saga
Carole Sutton’s newest novel, “Blood Opal,” is another “keep you up late at night,” fast-paced, thriller. As with her other mystery novels, Carole does a skillful job of fully developing her plot while still paying close attention to character development. She allows the reader to crawl inside the heads, and often the hearts, of her main characters, as they stumble and glide through the storyline, to ultimately solve the mysteries behind the murders. And due to her non-human main character, the Blood Opal, there are numerous bodies strew throughout the story.
Although this is a thrill ride of a whodunit adventure, the main puzzle piece that connects the mysteries and murders is the elusive Blood Opal. Throughout history, opals have been associated with mystical powers; from healing to destruction. Carole skillfully manipulates the historical legends of opals, recreating her own folklore revolving around the deadliest of all opals: the cursed Blood Opal.
According to the novel’s opal history; this black opal, with its streaks of brilliant deep red, was first named Redback, as its color resembled the deadly spider of the same name. However, over the years, as the opal proved to be as deadly as the spider it was originally named after, it was rechristened the Blood Opal. Even though, or perhaps because of, the opal’s curse, and the fact that reds against black are the most rare of opals, the Blood Opal became a coveted stone. The legend is woven so realistically throughout the story, that as soon as you finish the novel, you’ll want to jump on your computer and “Google” Blood Opal. Be forewarned, that doing so, will only solidify Carole’s gift of storytelling.
Once again, in this new novel, Carole shares her extensive knowledge of sailing and her love of Britain’s Cornwall coast. Reading a Carole Sutton novel is not only an escape into her world of murder, mystery and mayhem, but also a travel and sailing adventure. I especially enjoyed how Carole brilliantly integrated familiar bits and pieces from her first novel, “Ferryman,” into her “Blood Opal” storyline.
“Blood Opal,” is one gem of a novel that you must put on your “to read” list.
Dee Marie (Author of the "Sons of Avalon" saga
November 28, 2010
Blood Opal – The Curse of the Blood Opal!
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Carole Sutton
Format: Paperback
After a long day at work, Pug Germaine returns home only to find it in complete disarray. Convinced her husband has tossed it during one of his more and more frequent foul moods, she cautiously searches for his whereabouts only to find him in the arms of another woman both of them covered in blood—murdered! Horrified she contacts the police and soon learns not only has he been cheating but he has leveraged all of their assets on bad investments. In a heartbeat, she’s lost everything—her husband, home, and business. Determined to start anew, she sails off. But Pug’s troubles are only beginning. Her husband’s killers haven’t found what they are looking for and they are convinced Pug has it.
In Blood Opal, Carole Sutton once again demonstrates her prowess in creating rich characters, describing beautiful settings, and formulating an engrossing and complex plot. So drawn was I to her unlikely heroine Pug, that I easily felt her fears and frustrations and wondered as she did who to trust. The legend of the Blood Opal and its curse and back story were fascinating and with the prodding from Celeste—Pug’s friend and confidant—one can not help but wonder if there is some truth to the curse as death follows in its wake.
Sutton’s knack for storytelling quickly engrosses the reader in this well crafted murder mystery and doesn’t let go until the final page is turned. Fans of this genre should quickly add this to their shelves.
Rating: 5 of 5
Author: Carole Sutton
Format: Paperback
After a long day at work, Pug Germaine returns home only to find it in complete disarray. Convinced her husband has tossed it during one of his more and more frequent foul moods, she cautiously searches for his whereabouts only to find him in the arms of another woman both of them covered in blood—murdered! Horrified she contacts the police and soon learns not only has he been cheating but he has leveraged all of their assets on bad investments. In a heartbeat, she’s lost everything—her husband, home, and business. Determined to start anew, she sails off. But Pug’s troubles are only beginning. Her husband’s killers haven’t found what they are looking for and they are convinced Pug has it.
In Blood Opal, Carole Sutton once again demonstrates her prowess in creating rich characters, describing beautiful settings, and formulating an engrossing and complex plot. So drawn was I to her unlikely heroine Pug, that I easily felt her fears and frustrations and wondered as she did who to trust. The legend of the Blood Opal and its curse and back story were fascinating and with the prodding from Celeste—Pug’s friend and confidant—one can not help but wonder if there is some truth to the curse as death follows in its wake.
Sutton’s knack for storytelling quickly engrosses the reader in this well crafted murder mystery and doesn’t let go until the final page is turned. Fans of this genre should quickly add this to their shelves.
January 15, 2012
this book has a lot going for it. An interesting plot that sucks you in and keeps you turning the pages. Realistic and interesting characters. Good development.
Unfortunately it lacks the final polish needed to make the most of its potential. I am one of those readers that gets distracted and annoyed by misplaced punctuation. Sometimes I had to read a sentence twice to work out what it meant.
The switching POV is only a problem when the time lines overlap or one takes us back to a time before the previous ended.
Finally, I made the mistake of reading the back cover. The blurb covered more than half the book, taking away some of the tension and surprise i'd have enjoyed otherwise.
Still, I liked it and it's worth the read. I liked it enough to think it a shame that it doesn't have the chance to shine and live up to its potential.
If you haven't read it yet, read the book and skip the back cover!
Unfortunately it lacks the final polish needed to make the most of its potential. I am one of those readers that gets distracted and annoyed by misplaced punctuation. Sometimes I had to read a sentence twice to work out what it meant.
The switching POV is only a problem when the time lines overlap or one takes us back to a time before the previous ended.
Finally, I made the mistake of reading the back cover. The blurb covered more than half the book, taking away some of the tension and surprise i'd have enjoyed otherwise.
Still, I liked it and it's worth the read. I liked it enough to think it a shame that it doesn't have the chance to shine and live up to its potential.
If you haven't read it yet, read the book and skip the back cover!
August 19, 2011
A gripping mystery set in Cornwall, so real I felt I was there.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews